NYC Schools Head Believes Bus Strike Deal Will Be Done Before School Begins
The head of New York City’s schools expressed optimism that the impending strike by the bus-drivers union could be averted before the upcoming school term begins next week, acknowledging that it would result in a significant disruption if not prevented.
“We are actively engaged in discussions and are striving to offer as much assistance as possible. Our optimism remains strong that we can find a resolution and avoid a strike,” shared Chancellor David Banks during a press briefing held at City Hall on Friday.
However, Banks conceded that the situation would present challenges if a strike were to occur. “Undoubtedly, facing a strike poses a considerable hurdle. Such circumstances always pose difficulties, and the impact on our students and their families would indeed be substantial.”
A potential strike by the Amalgamated Transit Union’s Local 1181 could impact approximately 90,000 students across all five boroughs, affecting around 4,400 routes.
In response, the Department of Education introduced contingency plans earlier this week, involving the utilization of rideshare services like Uber and Lyft, as well as distributing MetroCards to facilitate transportation for the multitude of students.
Nevertheless, Chancellor Banks acknowledged that determining eligibility for these alternative transportation methods is a task that has yet to be clarified. “We are in the process of refining the criteria for who will qualify for these options since extending them to everyone is not feasible,” he explained.
However, the details of this process remain uncertain with less than a week left until the commencement of the school year on September 7th.
“To reassure New Yorkers, I can assure you that every family will have some means to ensure their child’s transportation to and from school,” Banks affirmed, aiming to alleviate concerns amidst the uncertainty.
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